Turkish FA Calls On FIFA And UEFA To Ban Israel From All Competitions

‎Turkish Football Federation President, Ibrahim Haciosmanoglu, has formally appealed to FIFA, UEFA, and other national football associations to ban Israel from international sporting competitions, according to local media reports on Friday.

‎His request follows growing political pressure on football authorities to take action against Israel. UEFA is reportedly preparing to hold an emergency vote next week on the matter.

‎The outcome could determine whether Israel is suspended from participating in European tournaments.

‎”Despite positioning themselves as defenders of civic values and peace, the sporting world and football institutions have remained silent for far too long,” Haciosmanoglu wrote in the letter, according to the Anadolu Agency.

‎”Guided by these values, we feel compelled to raise our deep concern regarding the unlawful (and more importantly, completely inhumane and unacceptable) situation being carried out by the State of Israel in Gaza and its surrounding areas.”

‎A U.N. Commission of Inquiry issued a report this week concluding that Israel has committed genocide during the war in Gaza and calling for its suspension from international football.

‎Israel has denied committing genocide and described the report as scandalous.

‎”The situation had long been desperate, but in recent days it has reached a new level of urgency following the interventions of various institutions,” added Haciosmanoglu.

‎Israel has stated that its military campaign in Gaza targets Hamas, the group responsible for the October 7, 2023 attack that left 1,200 people dead, according to Israeli figures.

‎Health officials in Gaza report that the offensive has killed more than 65,000 people. The conflict has also brought massive destruction and widespread hunger to the enclave.

‎”We don’t have any indications that we are facing such an act (UEFA suspension),” a spokesperson for the Israel Football Association told Reuters on Thursday, adding that the national team was focusing on their upcoming World Cup qualifiers.

‎How Israel Joined UEFA

‎Israel competes under the UEFA umbrella, having been removed from the Asian Football Confederation in 1974 by a vote after several countries refused to play against it.

‎In 1991, UEFA permitted Israel’s national team to participate within the framework of European football.

‎A year later, Israeli clubs started competing in UEFA competitions.

‎By 1994, Israel had achieved full membership in the organization, advancing beyond its former associate status.